Advertisement
AD

'Bitcoin Is a Zero': Peter Schiff Reignites Criticism as BTC Reacts to Softer CPI Print

Fri, 13/02/2026 - 15:08
Is Bitcoin a math-based discipline or empty symbolism? As BTC struggles in early 2026, Peter Schiff reignites the debate against cryptocurrency maximalists following the latest US inflation data.
Advertisement
'Bitcoin Is a Zero': Peter Schiff Reignites Criticism as BTC Reacts to Softer CPI Print
Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Read U.TODAY on
Google News

Peter Schiff is back in the headlines with his signature satirical critique of Bitcoin, this time about the so-called “mathematical” foundation of the cryptocurrency. Replying to a viral post that praised Bitcoin as a rules-based monetary system — contrasting it with gold's physical and fiat's political nature — the financial expert responded with rare agreement, only to say that "Bitcoin is a zero."

Advertisement

Why Schiff remains bearish: Dismissing Bitcoin's role after January CPI print

Schiff's latest remarks landed an hour before the key U.S. macro data of this month hit the timeline. On Feb. 13, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported headline CPI for January at 0.2% month-over-month, undercutting consensus forecasts of 0.3%. Core CPI came in as expected at 0.3% but ticked up from December’s 0.2%, highlighting stickiness in underlying price pressures.

Bitcoin briefly rallied to $67,600 on the Binance chart presented by TradingView in the minutes following the CPI release, as softer headline inflation improved risk appetite.

HOT Stories
Morning Crypto Report: Binance Lists New XRP Pair, Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Maintains Top 10 Spot as 'Bitcoin Without Saylor,' Cardano's Hoskinson Sets 3 'Anti-Cynicism' Criteria for New Projects Ripple CEO Dubs New CFTC Committee 'Olympics Crypto Roster'

However, core data tempered the optimism. News traders walked back initial bids, and BTC settled near $67,360 on the one-minute chart, forming an intraday range between $65,300 and $67,600.

Advertisement
Article image
BTC/USD by TradingView

Schiff’s position has not changed in over a decade. For him, Bitcoin lacks yield, cash flow or industrial use — unlike gold, which he supports as a real asset with tangible demand. 

Bitcoin maximalists counter with its coded 21 million cap, automated halving cycles and a monetary policy that does not rely on politics, which is debatable considering how United States policy affected the crypto market in 2025 and continues to in 2026.

You Might Also Like
Advertisement

Supply dynamics remain unchanged for Bitcoin, with the current issuance sitting at 3.125 BTC per block. Yet as the price of the cryptocurrency halved in price since the October 2025 all-time high, Bitcoin struggles to attract sustained capital rotation from traditional safe havens like gold, especially.

After today's CPI release, all eyes are on the March 4, 2026 FOMC meeting. With dollar liquidity being the dictator for the markets, and in particular digital assets with Bitcoin at the forefront, one side reads math as monetary discipline. The other, represented by Schiff, reads it as empty symbolism.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Subscribe to daily newsletter

Recommended articles

Our social media
There's a lot to see there, too